Western Civilization (Honors)
Research Project
Western Civ Research Paper
Your task will be to complete an 8-10 page thesis-driven paper on the impact of an
individual or invention on Western Civilization.
The paper will be divided into a cover & 3 sections as follows:
Cover: Must include a unique title centered on the page horizontally and vertically followed
by in the lower right hand corner: your name, Western Civilization Honors, teacher name, and
date.
Section 1: Your topic defined – What/who is your topic? What’s their significance to Western
History?
 Introduce the idea of Historical Significance and what you believe it is.
 Research a person or invention and generate your own understanding of their
significance as your thesis. (The best topics should have great influences on history and
our current world.)
 Research your topics specific history.
 Connect to some of the impacts your subject has had over time.
Section 2: Analysis – How significant was your topic? Could they/it have been replaced? Was
their role inevitable or were they exceptional?
 Assess the Importance of your topic to Western History
 Compare and connect your topic to other similar topics. (ex. If you choose an artist
compare him/her with other “great” artists, same for inventions)
 Describe why your topic has greater or lesser significance.
 Conclude by answering the above section questions.
Section 3: Evaluation – Evaluate the overall historical significance of your topic
 Explain how important or average your topic was in the grand scheme of history.
 Describe the changes seen in the world due to your topic and how the world could be
different had your topic never existed.
 Conclude with where your topic ranks in the overall scheme of history and how one or
something becomes historically significant.
In addition to the 3 sections you will be required to include a works cited page (minimum
of 6 citations) as well as a bibliography page (minimum 10 sources). The format for
source citations will be MLA 7. Utilize the knowledge you gained from 9th grade English to
help you with your entries. Additionally, Works Cited will be annotated. Instructions for
annotating will be discussed in class and can be found via the world wide web at the “Online
Writing Lab or OWL” website - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/
To be clear, your Works Cited must contain a minimum of 6 annotated sources – i.e. MLA
entry followed by a paragraph summarizing, assessing, & reflecting on the source for each of
the 6 sources.
Plagiarism
We, as teachers at Garnet Valley High School, are aware that plagiarism is a rampant problem
not only in our local community but also in the educational community at all levels. Great
lengths have been taken to combat this problem but the truth is that whatever we do to catch
the offenders, they have come up with three new ways to avoid detection. It is for this reason
that I will give a dire warning to those of you who are contemplating the easy way out, as the
least of the punishment is a zero on this assignment. I will also ask that every member of the
class sign the pledge not to intentionally plagiarize and to work to their best ability not to
unintentionally plagiarize either. If you cheat, you are not only going to incur the wrath of me,
but also dishonor yourself. I fully expect my students to comply with this appeal.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following activities:
 Buying a paper from the internet or another student, no matter where the student attends
school
 Using someone’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own
 Using AutoSummarize on Word or any equivalent
Tips
Citations look like this: (Panepinto, 45). Do not use the word “page”.
Consecutive citation of the same book: (105)
For an Internet site citation, use [On-line] in place of page numbers, including the brackets.
Thus, it would look like (Panepinto, [On-line]).
If no author, use a brief version of the title of books, magazines, etc.
Margins are all 1”; headers are .5”.
Periods should be placed AFTER a citation at the end of a sentence.
All punctuation should be placed inside quotation marks.
Never use contractions!!!
Never use the first person (i.e. I, we, etc.)!!!
Never use the second person (i.e. you)!!!
Grading Rubric
Name:______________
Western Civilization Honors Research Project
Section 1:
 Thesis stated
 Quality of thesis
 Thorough research of person/invention
 Proper Grammar, good flow and format
/5
/30
/25
/10
Section 2:
 Good analysis of person/invention’s impact
 Effective correlation made with similar people, events or inventions
 Proper Grammar, good flow and format
/15
/30
/10
Section 3:
 Overall evaluation of topic’s historical significance is completed
 Conclusion effectively made
 Proper Grammar, good flow and format
/30
/30
/10
Works Cited:
 MLA format is followed
 5 citation minimum is met
 6 Annotations done properly
/5
/10
/20
Bibliography:
 MLA format is followed
 8 source minimum is met
/5
/10
Miscellaneous:
 Written in 3rd person, title page, proper mechanics
/15
_____
/260